"There were talks about a shoulder replacement or whatever - that’s not going to happen": Michael Smith says injury break was never an option

Michael Smith opened his 2026 PDC World Darts Championship campaign with a 3–0 victory over Lisa Ashton, but the headlines were about more than the result.

After a year battling a persistent shoulder and wrist injury, Smith admitted that he has finally returned to the stage pain-free, and made it clear that taking a break from the sport is simply not an option for him as he continues at the PDC World Darts Championship as he spoke to the media including DartsNews.

For the first time in over a year, Smith was able to step onto the Alexandra Palace stage without discomfort. “There was no pain. I’ve not felt that on stage for 12 months. It was kind of a shock to the system.”

Injections in his ankle and right hand helped him regain full mobility. While his right foot and shoulder still technically need attention, the relief allowed him to walk and throw normally again. “It’s just the way I’ve been walking for the last five months. Now being able to walk normally instead of flat-footed and limping is getting the joint moving again. So it doesn’t need it, it’s just one of them things.”

Smith acknowledged the uncertainty around how long the relief would last. “Cortisone normally lasts about three or four months, the first one could be a lot longer, but I could be sat here in 10 days saying, ‘It’s killing now, it’s worn off.’ You don’t know, do you?” Even so, the 32-year-old felt mentally and physically stronger than he has in years. “At the minute, I’m in a good place, pain-free, mentally strong, and looking forward to the next round.”

Smith made it clear that he will not let the shoulder injury force him out of the sport. “I’ve never had the conversation about taking a break. If they told me I needed a break, I’d tell them I won’t be coming back. Especially with my shoulder. There were talks about a shoulder replacement or whatever—that’s not going to happen. I’d rather do all that stuff when I retire.”

Despite the option, Smith never stopped competing over the last 12 months. “I could have taken a break for the last 12 months. I never did. I always turned up to Pro Tours, Europeans, stuff like that, when I could have easily cried off, and that’s not in my nature.”

He has been careful to manage his body but never compromise his presence on the oche. “Last week when I got my injections, two days later I started skipping, running up and down stairs. It was unreal. Just to have that release of pain was the best feeling ever.”

Smith’s performance against Lisa Ashton had moments of uncertainty, particularly in the first set, which he admitted was “not great.” But he steadied himself at a critical moment.

“It was more the fifth leg in the first set. I was trying to tell myself, ‘I’ve won this tournament before. If I lose this leg now, with the crowd as boisterous as it is, it’s going to be even worse. You’ve just got to show a bit of quality this leg.’”

He left tops after 12 darts on Ashton’s throw and closed out the set, setting the tone for the rest of the match. “I think I went out in 13, the last leg, showed it a bit, and then I come out second set and thought I’d pocket £60,000, my first paid nine-darter, but blew that one as well.”

Returning to Alexandra Palace after an early exit last year also provided a boost. “If I’d have got beat again, I would’ve been suicidal. No, just to come back, it’s amazing. I’ve got… I said nine days, I’ll come back on the 19th. She’ll force me shopping tomorrow. So I’ve probably got about a solid week practising. It is good. I can’t wait to come back now.”

Smith’s goals remain clear: winning tournaments, not settling for participation. “Your goal is to win events. It doesn’t matter if I’m playing poor or my best darts—it’s always to win. I’ve never stopped believing I can win. As long as I believe it, I’m not an outsider or favourite. I just know I’m going to win things—that’s my mentality.”

He discussed the impact of past disappointments, such as the Grand Slam quarter-final exit. “It wasn’t decent because my average—I don’t think I pushed 90 once. Below-90 averages… I’m disappointed. People saying, ‘Oh, you had a great run…’ I’m not happy to lose an event. It’s the same thing. Yes, I’ve only won two majors, three if you include the World Cup, but I’ve lost in nine, ten, eleven… a lot. I’m still not happy with losing again.”

“Mentally, I’ve always been 100%. You’ve known that for the last 18 years in the PDC—I’ve always been fighting, I never give up. I always turn up for the fans and everything when I could easily cry off.”

Even under pressure, his focus is unwavering. “I come to tournaments to win tournaments. I know the last 12 months have been hard, but I’ve never stopped believing that I can win.”

Despite his win, Smith reserved praise for Ashton. “Lisa… I’ve followed her for years, she’s only about 12 miles from me in Bolton. Growing up playing pub tournaments and stuff, I’ve always wished her all the best. She’s been an amazing ambassador for the women’s sport, even before she won the Women’s Worlds. I can only speak highly of her.” He rejected suggestions that his performance was a message to other players. “No message. If there was a message, that would have been 110 average, not a 91 or 92. I was just trying to get the job done under pressure. Littler, Van Gerwen, Humphries—they just want to beat you. It was just me winning tonight.”

With a pain-free shoulder and strong mental focus, Smith is ready for the next round. “No thoughts on the next opponent. The main aim now is to get through, have a decent Christmas, and then we’ll see where it is from there.” He summed up his night and mindset in three words: “Winner, fighter, bottle.”